Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan wants India not to tinker with the opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan against Zimbabwe. While Kishan has been in solid form, Sharma had managed only 15 runs against South Africa after three consecutive ducks in the group stage.

On the other hand, Sanju Samson had opened the innings against Namibia and scored a cameo of 8-ball 22 when Abhishek was ruled out with a stomach infection. Before the T20 World Cup, Samson had managed only 46 runs in five matches against New Zealand at an average of 9.20.

Pathan said on his YouTube Channel, “Bring back Sanju Samson, but don’t make him open; make him at No. 3. We have seen him bat at No. 3 in the IPL, and he has also played in the middle order for India. No. 3 is quite similar to opening. If Sanju doesn’t come in, I want Surya to bat at No. 3. But ideally, India should play Sanju, a right-handed batter.

“Even if Sanju Samson comes in, India should stick to Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan at the top. Ishan Kishan needs to hold his shape and find ways to counter the opposition’s bowling plans,” he added.

The former swing bowler said Samson looked in a good space mentally against Namibia during his short stay at the crease.

“Sanju scored 22 runs when he played and looked comparatively better mentally. He should be the wicketkeeper as well. Ishan Kishan is a comparatively better fielder than him.”

On the other hand, Tilak Varma has managed only 107 runs in five matches of the World Cup and Pathan noted that the southpaw is trying to force things since making a comeback from injury.

“The lower Tilak Varma bats, the more he will be challenged. But he is a proven player. He has scored two hundreds for India in T20Is and also batted very well against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. It seems that he is trying to force things since his return from injury.”

India will take on Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Thursday.